Miami’s home bay and its waters have long been subject to careful management when it comes to angling. Now, the FWC has proposed further changes to fishing within Biscayne National Park. At its May meeting, the commission suggested additional measures aimed at protecting pre-spawn aggregations of Bonefish in the bay.
The Bonefish aggregation that occurs in Biscayne Bay is the only one documented in Florida. It comes as the result of extensive work to protect these amazing game fish and rebuild their populations. The aggregation is a recent discovery that confirms that Bonefish are on the road to recovery. It also prompted the FWC to consider further efforts to make sure these fish continue to thrive.
In the meeting, FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said, “This aggregation discovery is a milestone in the recovery of this iconic fishery. We recognize this site’s importance and are committed to continuing the protection for this significant species.”
What do the proposed changes entail?
If the new FWC proposal is put into action, hook-and-line fishing will be prohibited within Biscayne National Park from November through May. The new rule would affect a 1.74-square-mile area east of Elliot Key and would be added along several existing BNP-specific regulations, which include:
- Lobster harvest prohibition from shore out to the barrier islands
- Marine life (aquarium trade) harvest prohibition throughout the waters of the national park
- Increased minimum size limit for most fish species and a 10-fish aggregate limit within the park’s waters
The FWC will continue to gather input on the Bonefish proposal before gathering again for a final hearing in August 2025. If you have any thoughts on Bonefish conservation, you can comment on the proposal by visiting the FWC website.
How do you feel about the suggested changes to Bonefish regulations in Biscayne Bay? Do you think the proposal will go into effect? Let us know in the comments below!
